hoist

[ hoistor, sometimes, hahyst ]

verb (used with object)

1. to raise or lift, especially by some mechanical appliance:

   to hoist a flag; to hoist the mainsail.

   Synonyms: elevate

   Antonyms: lower

2. to raise to one's lips and drink; drink (especially beer or whiskey) with gusto:

   Let's go hoist a few beers.

3. Archaic. a simple past tense and past participle of hoise.

noun

1. an apparatus for hoisting, as a block and tackle, a derrick, or a crane.
2. act of hoisting; a lift:

   Give that sofa a hoist at your end.

3. Nautical.
   1. the vertical dimension amidships of any square sail that is hoisted with a yard. Compare drop ( def 31 ).
   2. the distance between the hoisted and the lowered position of such a yard.
   3. the dimension of a fore-and-aft sail along the luff.
   4. a number of flags raised together as a signal.
4. (on a flag)
   1. the vertical dimension as flown from a vertical staff.
   2. the edge running next to the staff. Compare fly ²( def 30b ).

hoist

/ hɔɪst /

verb

1. tr to raise or lift up, esp by mechanical means
2. hoist with one's own petard
   See petard

noun

1. any apparatus or device for hoisting
2. the act of hoisting
3. See rotary clothesline
4. nautical
   1. the amidships height of a sail bent to the yard with which it is hoisted Compare drop
   2. the difference between the set and lowered positions of this yard
5. nautical the length of the luff of a fore-and-aft sail
6. nautical a group of signal flags
7. the inner edge of a flag next to the staff Compare fly 1

Derived Forms

• ˈhoister, noun

Other Words From

• hoister noun
• un·hoisted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hoist¹

First recorded in 1540–50; later variant of hoise, with -t as in against, etc.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hoist¹

C16: variant of hoise, probably from Low German; compare Dutch hijschen, German hissen

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. hoist by / with one's own petard. petard ( def 4 ).

Synonym Study

See raise.

Example Sentences

As Malcolm Kerr noted almost 60 years ago in his book The Arab Cold War, these states championed Palestinians as a way to divert attention from their own domestic shortcomings and to hoist the blame for all their problems onto what they call “the Zionist entity.”

From Slate

Kickers, a chance to hoist the trophy once again Wednesday.

From Los Angeles Times

The woman ultimately turns back toward the bridge to face them, and Bon Jovi and his partner help her hoist herself over the rail.

From Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times NFL columnist Sam Farmer analyzes seven teams that can hoist the Lombardi Trophy this season.

From Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times NFL columnist Sam Farmer analyzes seven teams that can hoist the Lombardi Trophy this season.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• erect
• heave
• pick up